'Quantum: Einstein, Bohr, and the Great Debate about the Nature of Reality' is a science history book written by Manjit Kumar. Quantum was at one point shortlisted for the BBC Samuel Johnson Prize for Non-Fiction in 2009.

Over decades, this famous debate was ongoing between Albert Einstein and Neils Bohr. One occasion in particular was in 1927 at the Fifth Solvay International Conference on Electrons and Photons. Here, the most prominent physicists gathered to dissect the new theory of quantum physics. The readers of this book are in for a treat, as the lives of the pioneers of quantum physics and their work are related and presented to us with a thrilling overview of the landscape that science was in during physics' golden age. We hear narration of the lives of Neils Bohr, Albert Einstein, Planck, Rutherford, and Schrodinger, among others.

Quantum theory is readily acknowledged as bizarre and it sparked what some say is the greatest intellectual debate of the 20th century.

If a reader is curious about quantum theory but wants to bypass the complex math, this is the book for them. This is a hearty and thorough telling full of colorful characters and insightful commentary. We are reminded of the time when science made us think the universe was inside out.

Manjit Kumar founded Prometheus, an arts-and-sciences journal. He has written and reviewed for various publications, including the Guardian, and is a consulting science editor at Wired UK. He lives in London.

Quantum theory is weird. As Niels Bohr said, if you aren’t shocked by quantum theory, you don’t really understand it. For most people, quantum theory is synonymous with mysterious, impenetrable science. And in fact for many years it was equally baffling for scientists themselves. In this tour de force of science history, Manjit Kumar gives a dramatic and superbly written account of this fundamental scientific revolution, focusing on the central conflict between Einstein and Bohr over the nature of reality and the soul of science. This revelatory book takes a close look at the golden age of physics, the brilliant young minds at its core, and how an idea ignited the greatest intellectual debate of the twentieth century.

Download and start listening now!

BK_BLAK_003887

Quotes & Awards

“As a fairly innumerate non-scientist, I am perversely drawn to books about math and science and usually abandon them with ignorance intact. However, Quantum by Manjit Kumar…is so well written that I now feel I’ve more or less got particle physics sussed. Quantum transcends genre—it is historical, scientific, biographical, philosophical.”

Guardian (London)

“A super-collider of a book, shaking together an exotic cocktail of free-thinking physicists, tracing their chaotic interactions and seeing what God-particles and black holes fly up out of the maelstrom…Provides probably the most lucid and detailed intellectual history ever written of a body of theory that makes other scientific revolutions look limp-wristed by comparison.”

Independent (London)

“Kumar is an accomplished writer who knows how to separate the excitement of the chase from the sometimes impenetrable mathematics.”

Financial Times

“With vigor and elegance, Kumar describes the ‘clash of titans’ that took place in the world of physics in the early twentieth century.”

Publishers Weekly (starred review)

“A wonderful experience for lovers of physics. In this audiobook, complicated scientific theorems and, at times, almost mind-bendingly complex discussions regarding elements, atomic weights, experiments, and chains of formulae are easily dealt with by Ray Porter, who demonstrates a relaxed familiarity with technical matter. Porter re-creates the lives and times of the great scientists Albert Einstein, Niels Bohr, Marie Curie, and Ernest Rutherford, among others…Quantum offers almost 15 hours of solid science for devotees of the subatomic world.”

AudioFile

Listener Opinions

Converse | 1/31/2014

" This work gives a better than usual account of the history of quantum mechanics in the early decades of the twentieth century and what was at issue in the controvery over its interpretation between Bohr and Einstein. In the last chapters it also explores the later work of the Irish physicist Bell, and those who experimentally tested his theoretical work, regarding action at a distance between particles. "

Victor | 1/26/2014

" The book describes vividly the characters of the early 20th century's discovery and formulation of quantum theory, and the controversy this sparked. The many human stories and emotions were well captured by the author. "

Jenny Hemming | 1/8/2014

" V good mix of people & science. "

marcali | 12/12/2013

" gives context for the "theory of everything" beyond Einstein "

Fernando Fernandes | 12/9/2013

" Kumar managed to write, for the general reader, an interesting and coherent narrative history of quantum physics' evolution. A very good popular science book. "

Ryan P | 11/14/2013

" Educational, exciting, and emotional. "

Mario Torres | 10/21/2013

" Increiblemente bueno "

Rajeev | 10/3/2013

" One of the best histories of quantum I have ever read .. "

Rosemary Mutton | 4/28/2013

" Not my usual book but I found it fascinating - the history of quantum physics. "

Chris | 4/13/2013

" A very well written description of the theories of relativity and quantum physics told in the stories of the people who developed them. "

Amit Srivastava | 10/1/2012

" I have to say that this is a very well written book. I was a little skeptical before buying this, but it turned out to be a great story stitched together around quantum physics. "

Jon Earnshaw | 3/14/2012

" Quantum Mechanics and the journey of its understanding in plain English! Wonderful! "

Kannan Um | 10/13/2011

" a superb and well written book... manjit kumar's narrative of the incidents at the solway conference was truly inspiring.. this book would serve as a good introduction to quantum mechanics especially for the new learners of the subject.. "

DrDork | 8/21/2011

" Einstein Vs Bohr...the amazing duel of the two greatest minds has been captured well by Manjit Kumar...loved every bit... "

Gendou | 5/21/2011

" Not so different than many other historical accounts of the development of quantum mechanics.
"

Jack | 3/19/2011

" An excellent history of the development of Quantum Mechanics.
I like one his quotes from Gotthold Lessing:
"The aspiration to truth is more precious than its assured possession."
Library loan
"

Tristan | 2/8/2011

" An easy to read history of quantum mechanics from the beginning to the 1980s. Very interesting if you like histories.
"

Chris | 2/7/2011

" A very well written description of the theories of relativity and quantum physics told in the stories of the people who developed them.
"

Rosemary | 1/27/2011

" Not my usual book but I found it fascinating - the history of quantum physics.
"

Joseph | 1/20/2011

" Great history of science.
"

Skyler | 10/23/2010

" What an excellent book. Great writing, and contains everything you need to know about the history of modern physics.
"

Anne | 9/9/2010

" It was a real pleasure reading this. I felt a student again. And being excited about the wonder of nature and especially about atoms.
"

About the Author

Manjit Kumar was the founding editor of Prometheus, an arts and sciences journal. He has written and reviewed for various publications, including the Guardian, and is a consulting science editor at Wired UK. He lives in London.

About the Narrator

Ray Porter has garnered fourteen Earphones Awards, two Audie nominations, and a multitude of enthusiastic reviews for his sparkling narration of audiobooks. He has also appeared in numerous films and television shows, including Frasier, ER, Will & Grace, The Suite Life of Zack and Cody, and Almost Famous. He has most recently received Audible’s Narrator of the Year Award. He is a fifteen-year veteran of the Oregon Shakespeare Festival.

[ShoppingCartItemsAddedOnMerge] audiobook(s) were left in your cart from a previous visit, and saved to your account for your convenience. You may view or remove these audiobooks on the shopping cart page.